The private detective agency investigating the Flathead County Planning Office and its director will get another $5,000 to complete the investigation.

The county commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved the expenditure, which doubles the cost of the probe to $10,000.

Moonlighting Detective Agency of Kalispell was hired by the county in July to investigate impropriety and wrongdoing allegations made by members of the American Dream Montana property-rights group.

Investigator William "Ike" Eisentraut delivered a letter to the commissioners, saying much of his time initially was consumed by reviewing planning regulations, state law and local and state court precedents.

The investigation began with seven allegations but has evolved into 20, Eisentraut said, noting that allegations involve conditional-use permits, land variances, subdivisions, condominiums, flood plains and more.

"The persons making the claims are average working citizens of the Flathead Valley that believe they have been wronged, and not some group or organization with an agenda," Eisentraut stated in his letter. "Therefore it is not feasible to ignore their concerns without due inquiry."

Eisentraut said he has interviewed more than 15 people and has accumulated a paper pile more than a foot deep. And he still needs to interview at least 10 people, five of whom are county employees.

He expects to complete the investigation by the end of October.

Commissioner Dale Lauman, in supporting the additional $5,000 for the investigation, said he believes the county needs a complete report.

Commissioner Joe Brenneman questioned how seven allegations mushroomed into 20, but Commissioner Jim Dupont said it's common for interviews done during the course of an investigation to generate additional leads and information.

County Planning Director Jeff Harris said in July that "I know I've done nothing wrong."

The allegations include violations of open-record and open-meeting laws and the circulation of inappropriate e-mails on Planning Office computers.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at [email protected]